select

1 of 3

adjective

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt 

1

: chosen from a number or group by fitness or preference

2

a

: of special value or excellence : superior, choice

b

: exclusively or fastidiously chosen often with regard to social, economic, or cultural characteristics

3

: judicious or restrictive in choice : discriminating

… pleased with the select appreciation of his books …

—Osbert Sitwell

selectable

sə-ˈlek-tə-bəl 

adjective

selectness

sə-ˈlek(t)-nəs 

noun

selector

sə-ˈlek-tər 

noun

select

2 of 3

verb

selected; selecting; selects

transitive verb

: to choose (as by fitness or excellence) from a number or group : pick out

intransitive verb

: to make a choice

select

3 of 3

noun

: one that is select

—often used in plural

Synonyms of select

Adjective

• selected
• preferred
• favorite

Verb

• choose
• pick

Examples of select in a Sentence

Adjective

Only a few select employees attended the meeting.

A select committee was formed to plan the project.

The group was small and select.

A select number of people are invited.

Only a select few will be accepted into the program.

He only drinks select wines.

Verb

Please select one item from the list.

The school will only select 12 applicants for enrollment.

Knowing the importance of making the right choice, he selected carefully.

Select “Insert” from the “Edit” menu.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Delta Air Lines is now selling basic economy-style tickets for its premium cabins on select routes. — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Sherri’s Executive Lounge owner Nayeli Sharp, who runs the cigar lounge on 39th Street with her husband, Jason Sharp, is starting KC Pours this summer, available at select Kansas City events and for catering services. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

Verb

Ebel’s 17-year-old son Trey is expected to be selected early in the 2026 MLB draft on Saturday. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. — Talia Abbas, Vogue, 10 July 2026

Noun

Right now the site is offering an extra 50% off select already on-sale items as well as 40% off select furniture and decor. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2026

Photothermolysis is a scientific term that explains how energy from lasers selects, heats, and destroys a target—which could include melanin. — Tayler Adigun, Allure, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin selectus, past participle of seligere to select, from se- apart (from sed, se without) + legere to gather, select — more at suicide, legend

First Known Use

Adjective

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing select

• self-select

Rhymes for select

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

select

1 of 2 verb

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt 

1

: to pick out from a number or group : choose

2

: to choose (a particular action or a section of text on a computer screen) especially using a mouse

select

2 of 2 adjective

1

: chosen from a number or group to include the best or most suitable individuals

invited only a few select employees

2

: of special value or excellence : superior, choice

a select hotel

Medical Definition

select

intransitive verb

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt 

: to cause a specified gene, trait, or organism to become more frequent or less frequent

—usually used with for or against

animal breeders need to select simultaneously for improved conformity to breed characteristics and against defective genes causing disease